Fire Protection Engineering Technology (FPT)

Co-op Option (FPTC)

Starts in January, September

Campus

Newnham

Delivery

Flexible, Hybrid

Duration

6 Semesters (3 Years)

Study Option

Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

School

School of Fire Protection Engineering Technology

Courses

Delivery: At Seneca, courses are delivered in four formats: online, in-person, hybrid (an online, in-person combination) or flexible (offered in-person and online at the same time).

The chart below outlines the delivery options available for each course in this program. For some academic terms, there may be more than one delivery option available. You’ll be able to choose your preferred options when you select classes to build your course schedule. Selection for preferred course delivery will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

International students: The impact of studying from outside of Canada and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility differs significantly based on when you start your program. Please review the PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.

Semester 1

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
ALG191	Fire Analytics I	Flexible	Not offered	Flexible
	This is a general technical mathematics course for fire protection. It is designed to prepare students for further mathematics in technical programs as well as to prepare them in mathematical concepts used in other professional course. This course emphasizes on the fundamentals of algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
COM101 or COM111	Communicating Across Contexts or Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched)	Hybrid Online In-person	Hybrid Online In-person	Hybrid Online In-person
	COM101: This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities. COM111: This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
FPF190	Fire Protection Fundamentals	Flexible	Not offered	Flexible
	This course will provide an overview of the fire protection industry and the Seneca fire protection program. The history of fire protection, the fire problem in North America, and fire behaviour will be studied. Students will research the many private and governmental organizations that have an impact on fire protection and life safety. Focus will be on governing and certifying organizations that provide standards, codes, or certifications. Lastly, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields will be examined and basic terms and knowledge related to these careers will be provided.
FSS190	Fire Sprinkler Systems - Applied I	Flexible	Not offered	Flexible
	This course will provide the fire protection engineering technology student with a basic understanding of the requirements which apply to the design, installation, and approval of automatic sprinkler systems. The course will include the use and interpretation of the relevant codes and standards for fire sprinkler systems. Special emphasis will be placed on the effective use of NFPA 13, along with related industry best practices.
OBC190	Building Construction and The Effects of Fire	Flexible	Not offered	Flexible
	This course introduces students to building construction materials, assemblies and the Ontario Building Code. The various construction materials and assemblies are reviewed relative to their fire performance and how they relate to the fire protection requirements of the Ontario Building Code. Construction materials and assemblies, in addition to building fire and life safety components, are reviewed for identification on architectural drawings.

Semester 2

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
CAD290	Computer Aided Design I	Flexible	Flexible	Not offered
	This is an introductory subject in drafting for Fire Protection disciplines using the latest release of Autodesk software to produce 2-dimensional drawings in accordance with industry standards. The course will cover principles of creating orthographic views and sections. This course also covers manual sketching, and reading and interpreting drawing sets.
FAS290	Electricity and Electronics for Fire Systems	Flexible	Flexible	Not offered
	This subject covers the fundamental elements of electricity in both a lecture and lab setting. Students acquire an understanding of electrical principles and the purpose of resistance, conductors and power supplies found in a circuit, as well as the functionality of electrical components as they relate to fire alarm systems. Students will obtain practical experience working with a digital multi-meter as they are used extensively in the labs. Students are required to follow all safety rules and regulations when working in the labs.
FSS290	Fire Sprinkler Systems - Applied II	Flexible	Flexible	Not offered
	This course will provide the fire protection engineering technology student with continued learning from FSS190. A strong focus will be on the requirements which apply to the design, installation, and approval of automatic sprinkler systems within storage and residential occupancies. Additionally, Standpipe systems (NFPA 14) will be introduced. The course will include the use and interpretation of the relevant codes and standards for fire sprinkler systems. Special emphasis will be placed on the effective use of NFPA 13, 13R/D and 14, along with related industry best practices.
MTH290	Fire Analytics II	Flexible	Flexible	Not offered
	Mathematics 290 is a continuation of ALG190. Students taking this course should be able to identify and relate to technological problems. The ability to solve word problems is a crucial component of this course. Students will be required to focus on the interpretation of data presented in word problems and then convert the information into mathematical procedures that lead to the required solution. Emphasis will be placed on solving practical problems related to the field of fire protection engineering.
OFC395	Ontario Fire Code - General	Flexible	Flexible	Not offered
	This course introduces students to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) and the Ontario Fire Code (OFC). Students will review the 7 principles of fire and life safety, as well as learn the practical applications of Parts 1, 2, 6, and 9 of the Ontario Fire Code, and interpret the meaning behind the language of the Code.
plus: General Education Course (1)

Semester 3

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
AFS390	Alternative Fire Suppression Systems	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
	This course will address special extinguishing systems and agents. An important course ingredient for the student is to gain an understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various fire suppression agents and systems. Based on this understanding the student should be able to put forth alternative strategies that may be used to provide a reasonable level of protection in a particular hazard. While plain water and automatic sprinkler systems are recognized as the most common and basic system protection, and is an extremely effective extinguishing agent, there are times when additional protection is desired, or when water is not available or is not suitable. Non-suitability arises in cases when it is necessary to minimize water damage, the material may react with water, or because of clean-up problems after the fire. When problems such as the above arise there are a number of chemical agents in fire protection technology that may be chosen, either singularly or in combination, to ensure that fire suppression may be achieved in the most efficient manner. Even when the protection of a special hazard may justify the installation of a special suppression system, it should be noted that automatic sprinkler protection is still generally needed for life safety and exposure protection.
CAD390	Computer-Aided Design II	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
	CAD390 is the direct continuation of CAD290. At this level, the student should be able to correctly insert the appropriate border at the correct scale and apply the appropriate text style and dimension style as created and discussed during the semester. The student will be introduced to paper space, viewports and xref. The student will draw a section through a steel constructed building, and clean up actual architectural drawings in preparation for the sprinkler design part of the program. An isometric piping diagram will be drawn in preparation for HDS490. Time as allocated for the completion of assignments in other subjects, such as BDC390, CXS390 and ALS390
FAS390	Fire Alarm Systems - Design	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
	This course will address applications of fire alarm systems and the operation, testing and inspection requirements of fire alarm systems as outlined by the various Codes and Standards. The student will learn the basics of field wiring circuits, field devices, emergency voice communication systems and addressable fire alarm systems. Also covered are principles and technology of fire detection devices, signal appliances, control equipment and ancillary devices. This course is taught by a CFAA certified instructor and together with the pre-requisite courses, leads to the student becoming a CFAA Fire Alarm Technician as required by the Fire Code. For CFAA Certification, a Grade of C or better is required.
FWS390	Fire Protection Water Supplies	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
	This course will provide an introduction to the principles of adequate water supplies as they pertain to sprinkler system design. The course will focus on water as it is our main method of suppressing fires. Students will gain an understanding of how elevation and friction impact water supply, fire pump basics, components of a water supply system as well as proper testing methods.
OBC395	Ontario Building Code - Fire Protection I	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
plus: General Education Course (1)

Semester 4

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
FDY493	Fire Dynamics I - Heat Transfer	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	This course will introduce the basics of fire dynamics; how a fire will grow and spread. It will expand on the concepts introduced in FPF190 relating to the conditions required for combustion and the way various materials burn. Duration of burning, time to ignition, and various methods to calculate heat release rate will be discussed. Once the growth of fire is understood, modes of heat transfer will be considered to fully appreciate the anticipated spread of fire for a scenario. How these concepts impact fire investigations will also be considered.
FSS390	Fire Sprinkler Systems - Design I	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	Fluid flow theory and installation criteria of NFPA 13 are applied to the hydraulic design of automatic sprinkler systems. Material taught in this course is further emphasized through several practical assignments including various tree, pitched roof, residential and gridded systems. Field trips, where possible, will be included to help familiarize students with the various components of installed systems.
HOM390	NFPA 1072 Operations - Hazardous Materials	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	This course introduces students to responding incidents involving hazardous materials. Students will learn to recognize the presence of hazardous materials and relate the appropriate codes, standards and regulations that are required as fire service inspectors. Students will then learn to analyze an incident involving hazardous materials and demonstrate the appropriate response.
OBC495	Ontario Building Code - Legal	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	This is an introductory course into the use the Building Code Act and Ontario Building Code as it pertains to legal process requirements.
OFC590	Ontario Fire Code - Part IX Retrofit	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
TEC400	Technical Communications	Flexible Online	Flexible Online	Flexible Online
	Using a variety of technical writing techniques and placing emphasis on brevity, clarity, conciseness, unity and coherence, this subject introduces the application of technical writing through a series of writing assignments. Basic research, effective oral communications and/or collaborative skills are also covered.
WTP100	Work Term Preparation	Online	Not offered	Not offered
	This Work Term Preparation course is designed to empower students with the tools, skills, and strategies needed to navigate the modern job market and achieve long-term career success. Through self-assessment, career exploration, helping students to identify and leverage skills from their existing experiences, students will develop a deep understanding of their personal strengths, values, personality, interests and goals. The course covers essential topics such as crafting professional résumés and cover letters, mastering interview techniques, and building a strong personal brand, including an online presence. Students will learn how to research career pathways, evaluate job market trends, and create actionable career plans tailored to their aspirations. Emphasis is placed on professional communication, networking, workplace readiness, and adapting to diverse organizational cultures. Additionally, the course provides insights into negotiating job offers, managing career transitions, and professional growth. With a focus on lifelong learning and continuous improvement, this course equips students with the confidence and resources to pursue fulfilling careers while remaining adaptable in a dynamic and competitive workforce. Ideal for students preparing to enter the job market or those seeking to refine their career trajectory, this course fosters self-awareness, professional readiness, and strategic career planning.
WTP100 - Work-Integrated Learning option only
plus: General Education Course (1)

Work-Integrated Learning Term

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
FPT331	Fire Protection Engineering Technology, Co-op	Not offered	Hybrid Online In-person	Not offered
FPT331 - Work-Integrated Learning option only

Semester 5

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
CFI693	NFPA 1031 - Level I Fire Inspector	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
FDY593	Fire Dynamics - Advanced Principles	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
	This course will provide an advanced understanding of the ways in which fires start, grow and spread. Also, explosions and protection from explosions will be covered. The course will develop mathematical equations and models which can be used to track and predict fire development characteristics. The course will cover burning rate, fire plumes and explosions, as well as characteristics of other hazardous materials. It will expand the concepts developed in prerequisite courses as they relate to the development of fires and explosions. The course will introduce students to the mathematical concepts and the principles of thermodynamics which are relevant to the study of fire dynamics.
FSS490	Fire Sprinkler System - Design II	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible
	Hand calculation techniques acquired from HDS 493 will now be accomplished with the aid of a computer. The supplied software has been donated by HYDRATEC who distributes application software for sprinkler systems worldwide. Students will design and draw sprinkler systems on computers using HYDRACAD software. Hydraulic calculations will be performed using HYDRATEC HYDRAULICS software.
OFC690	Ontario Fire Code - FPPA Inspections, Legal and Courtroom Procedures	Not offered	Not offered	Flexible

Semester 6

Course Code	Course Name	Winter	Summer	Fall
FFI693	Fundamentals of Fire Investigation	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	This course provides students with the principles of performing a fire investigation based on requirements found in NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033. Students will learn their role and responsibilities as a fire investigator. They will also learn how to identify burn patterns, to determine possible ignition sources, and how to collect evidence so that it is preserved for testing. They will also learn the importance of health and safety while on scene. Due to the hands-on fire investigation practical of this course, a $250 lab fee is required.
FLS590	NFPA 1035 Level I - Fire and Life Safety Educator	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
FSS590	Fire Sprinkler Systems - Design III	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	With the knowledge and skills acquired in HDS493 (Manual Calculation Techniques) and HDS593) Sprinkler Layout and Hydraulic Calculation Software), students will design and draw a variety of complex automatic sprinkler systems using an alternate software. Stocklists for these automatic sprinkler systems will be prepared with an emphasis on the practical aspects of waste reduction.
HBF693	Human Behaviour During Fire Emergencies	Flexible	Not offered	Not offered
	This course will provide an overview to human behaviour during fire emergencies. The basic concepts of human behaviour, occupant tenability during fire scenarios, environmental psychology, founders of human behaviour research, movement of occupants, response delay, and exit choice behaviour will be studied. These concepts will be related to building design and construction so that the student may understand where requirements in the code originate from. The student will receive theoretical and hands-on training in the modelling of occupant evacuation, as well as research methods for building safety. The course will help the student understand how being able to predict human behaviour can lead to increased fire safety in a building design. Case studies will be used to illustrate the concepts discussed in class to show that they are, indeed, applicable to industry.

Fire Protection Systems specialization only

Semester 5

Course Code Course Name Winter Summer Fall

CAD490* Computer Aided Design III - Revit Not offered Flexible Flexible

Computer-Aided Design III

STK593* Stocklisting and Materials Management Not offered Not offered Flexible

This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of how and why stocklists are an integral part to sprinkler system design. The student will be instructed in how to prepare both manual and computer generated stocklists. The student will be introduced to the various aspects of stocklisting such as: main fabrication, branchline fabrication, system risers, underground pipe, pipe support and miscellaneous items.

Semester 6

Course Code Course Name Winter Summer Fall

FAS490* Fire Alarm Systems - Troubleshooting In-person Not offered Not offered

This course will review the effects of a circuit wiring fault on the fire alarm control panel, and address the differences based on where the fault is located or the specific type of fault. Students will learn how to use the panel or their multimeter to troubleshoot the system, find the location of the fault, and recommend remedial solutions. Students will obtain practical experience working with a digital multi-meter as it is used extensively in the labs. Students are required to follow all safety rules and regulations when working in the labs.

FSS690* Fire Sprinkler Systems - Design IV Flexible Not offered Not offered

Fire Service specialization only

Semester 5

Course Code Course Name Winter Summer Fall

FPP693** Fire Prevention Officer Career Preparation Not offered Not offered Flexible

This course has been designed to provide guidance to individuals embarking on a career as a Municipal or Private Fire Prevention Officer. The course gives student the tools necessary to be top competitors in these challenging and rewarding careers. Students will receive comprehensive preparation through training and support that will ensure success in passing initial academic and interview testing. Students will have a unique opportunity to learn various hiring processes of Municipal Fire Departments and learn what it takes to be successful in the recruitment process. Overview: Senecas Fire Protection Engineering Technology Programs provide students with comprehensive fire protection education combining both practical and theoretical components. These classes will provide participants with a program overview and additional fire protection industry knowledge that is expected in todays ever changing fire protection workforce.

OFC490** Ontario Fire Code - Part IV Flammable and Combustible Liquids Not offered Not offered Flexible

Semester 6

Course Code Course Name Winter Summer Fall

CFI793** NFPA 1031 Level II - Fire Inspector Flexible Not offered Not offered

OFC790** Ontario Fire Code - Parts III and V Industrial and Hazardous Applications Flexible Not offered Not offered

Insurance/Consulting specialization only

Semester 5

Course Code Course Name Winter Summer Fall

INS590*** Insurance - Intro to Insurance Industry Not offered Not offered Flexible

This course is the foundation of all the courses offered in the CIP PROGRAM of the Insurance Institute of Canada. Students will study the basic concepts and language of insurance; the legal context of insurance and the participants in the industry and their relationships to each other. Study will also evolve around how insurance and Risk Specialists, interact with various insurance departments, to evaluate and rate risk tolerance, by identifying Loss Frequency vs. Loss Severity, as it pertains to property, and liability loss exposures. The principles learned here underlie most situations you will encounter in Property and Liability insurance, when applying basic understanding of exposures, and the fundamental strategies to reduce or eliminate these risks.

PRM693*** Project Management Not offered Not offered Flexible

Introductory course providing an overview of the Construction industry and the role the Project Manager plays in the feasible and successful completion of the project. In particular, the course deals with project scheduling, contract documents, surety issued bonds, construction practices, legislation and other pertinent project management duties. Focus is also given to proper change notice pricing (stocklisting), job costing and close out documentation and obtaining substantial completion for a particular project. A term long case study group project is used to further aid students in grasping an in depth understanding and appreciation of the key aspects of a construction project, as well as the importance of team work and organization.

Semester 6

Course Code Course Name Winter Summer Fall

INS690*** Insurance - Risk Management Flexible Not offered Not offered

OBC590*** Ontario Building Code - Fire Protection II Flexible Not offered Not offered

* Fire Protection Systems specialization only
** Fire Service specialization only
*** Insurance/Consulting specialization only

Program Learning Outcomes

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Archived Program & Course Information

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